A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.

Senate Bill

S. 171

119th Congress

A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 21, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Roger Marshall

Senator

Republican

KS

Cosponsors

4

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Animals

Summary

This Senate bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from threatened and endangered species lists and permanently bars future listing. It covers all distinct population segments of this grassland bird. The legislation eliminates federal Endangered Species Act protections, allowing energy development and agricultural activities in the species Great Plains habitat without current restrictions.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This Senate bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from threatened and endangered species lists and permanently bars future listing. It covers all distinct population segments of this grassland bird. The legislation eliminates federal Endangered Species Act protections, allowing energy development and agricultural activities in the species Great Plains habitat without current restrictions.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

<p>This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken (<em>Tympanuchus pallidicinctus</em>), including each of its distinct population segments, from the threatened and endangered species lists that are published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Further, the bill prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from designating such species as threatened or endangered, and thus, protecting such species under such act.</p>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Removes lesser prairie-chicken from ESA lists
Prohibits future listing under Endangered Species Act
Senate companion to H.R. 587
Covers all population segments of the species
Affects Great Plains energy and agricultural development

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This Senate companion addresses the same conflict between species conservation and economic development in the Great Plains. The lesser prairie-chicken range overlaps major oil and gas formations. By prohibiting future listing, the bill provides permanent regulatory certainty for industry while eliminating a federal conservation tool that wildlife advocates argue is essential for the species survival.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Animals

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

171, 119th Congress (2025). "A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-171